The module will introduce students to a study of national cultures and societies and how they connect with transnational contexts beyond national borders. This semester develops this by identifying how languages, cultures and societies both operate on a national level and interconnect according to historical, geographic, economic, political, spatial and cultural conditions. After further lectures outlining this, learning activities will reflect on how these common themes play out on a national level referencing, for example, the emergence of symbols and traditions designed to foster a sense of national belonging. Seminars will focus on the acquisition of critical and analytical skills through discussions of a range of ‘texts’ which complement the lectures (primary and secondary source materials ranging from articles, statistics and graphs to visual materials including still images and public memorials, maps, propaganda materials and documentaries ).

1. Discuss selected aspects of  culture and society across the Portuguese-speaking world in relation to the evolution of  nations where Portuguese is an official language in a broad transnational context. 
2. Apply methods of textual and visual analysis to the materials studied
3. Formulate a coherent, evidence-based argument drawing on relevant secondary literature.
4. Identify, find evaluate and accurately reference reputable sources of information.

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive lectures and seminars supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials.

There will be 5 seminars each semester and either a School-wide lecture or programme specific lecture each week.

Academic and subject specific skills:

• Be able to articulate a strong sense of evolution of cultures at a national level
• Begin to conceptualise how the national fits with the transnational
• Develop strong inter-cultural awareness
• Develop methodological skills through text-based analysis
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills
• Develop and demonstrate competency in information literacy

Employability skills

• Be able to produce writing and interpretation which fits the needs of the reader/listener, within and beyond the academic context
• Be able to use ICT effectively
• Group project work

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

Mapping of Assessments to Intended Learning Outcomes

Essay: assesses all Learning Outcomes (1-4)

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

In the event of failing the module, the student will be able to re-sit a synoptic re-assessment for 100% of the module

At the school wide transnational levels, students will explore the following topics

• What is the transnational?
• What does it mean to be a modern languages student?
• How to move between the global and the local
• The concept of the nation
• National identity, nation building and concepts of belonging
• Contemporary debates in European and non-European cultures and societies
• Regional and (de)colonial identities within the nation
• Multilingualism, language identities and globalisation

In classes specific to the Portuguese programme  student will explore:

• Early Portuguese colonialism and colonial expansion
• The ‘discovery’ of Brazil
• Slavery and Abolition
• Monarchies and republics
• Eurocentrism and the mapping of Africa
• Dictatorships and democracy
• The struggles for independence in Portuguese-speaking Africa
• Diasporas in and of the Portuguese-speaking world
• What does Lusophone mean?